THE FEMALE PILGRIM.

The law requires that females also go to these holy places. Girls at
every age are allowed to go, also children. Widows under fifty years
are not accepted as pilgrims, first, because of their probable desire
for marriage, and second because the law says no women must undertake a
pilgrimage alone for thus they would expose themselves to men. So in
order to go some marry for the occasion. The husband accompanies them
hither and upon returning either divorces them or keeps them as wives
or concubines.

THE RETURN OF THE PILGRIMS.

Those who went to Mecca from certain parts before trains began to run
in the east consumed a year or more in their journey, but now it takes
only six or eight months. Those going to Karballa take from three to
five months, likewise those going to Mashhad. Every band of pilgrims
when returning to their own city will send a messenger about ten days
ahead to announce that in so many days a band of pilgrims will appear
in the city. On the day of their arrival many hundred men will meet
them several miles from the city. The Say-yids ride before them crying
saelaewaets. Friends and relatives kill lambs as a sacrifice before them.
This sacrifice is a holy thing and no man can touch it till its blood
is shed, but when it is beheaded, it belongs to God and the strongest
man takes it for his own. This being a sacred thing all are very
anxious to partake of it. The weak will do all they can to keep the
strong from carrying the sacrifice away. So there is always quarreling
when the pilgrims return. The acquaintances of the pilgrims will come
and say, "My portion be as thy portion. Blessed art thou. May your
pilgrimage be accepted," and the pilgrim will answer, "God grant that
you may also go to this Holy Place and receive remission of sin." Women
will sometimes cut pieces from the pilgrim's garments which are
supposed to be holy. At the pilgrims home many sheep are killed and a
variety of fine meats are cooked. People gather there to eat and drink
and they say to the host, "God bless your pilgrimage." He will answer,
"May the prophet give you success and grant that you, too, may visit
the Holy Place."

It is evident from the above descriptions that there is no place in
Islam for peace of conscience or absolute assurance of heaven. The
writer has often asked of Mohammedans: "Have you any hope of heaven?"
They say, "We don't know God knows." "Yes God knows everything but what
do